Chapter 18 — On the day of divorce, I applied to quit my job

I smiled.

"Your smile is very beautiful."

He spoke in a calm tone. Like just telling a truth. I didn't reply. But that night, after returning home. I stood in front of the mirror for a long time. Lam Chieu in his thirties. The dark circles under my eyes have faded a bit. Cheekbones are still as high as before. But my face is much better. The woman holding a cardboard box stood in the rain half a year ago. And the person standing in front of the mirror right now... It's still the same person. It's no longer exactly the same. The cultural tourism town project of the South China region officially launched. This is the largest project that Chieu Bach has ever received. Large scale, long work chain, wide scope of implementation, including brand positioning, image recognition system, content operation, distribution channel building, event planning... the entire process. I took the core team and flew to Hoa Nam two times, conducted field surveys, met with partners, and organized coordination meetings. Busy to the point of spinning without rest. By the third week, Do Minh Vien called me.

"Director Lam, there's something wrong."

"The handover after Co Hanh's resignation has been completed. But recently he has been doing something... He contributed capital to a creative culture investment fund, specializing in investing in early-stage creative culture brands."

My movements stopped.

"Is it related to Spirit?"

"Not for now. But among the brands he invests in, there are several brands operating in the same field as your customers."

"Are you reminding me that there will be competition?"

"It's not a competition. It's... this person is headed your way."

I said nothing. After hanging up the phone, I sat in the office thinking for a long time. Co Hanh moved from real estate to creative cultural investment. And this is the field I am trying to develop. Did he do it intentionally or unintentionally? If it's intentional... A way to pursue others? Or is it simply the instinct of a businessman, seeing a field with potential and entering that field? And if it's accidental... Then there aren't so many coincidences in this world. But regardless of his motives, my strategy remained unchanged. Do your job well. Whether he enters this field or not is his right. I won't give up because of him. Nor will I change direction because of him. This is my playground. If he wants to step in... He has to follow my rules. A month later, at a summit of the creative culture industry, I met Co Hanh again. This time it's not a dinner party. Not social. It's a true specialized forum. I am one of the speakers, the topic shared is: "The methodology for operating the creative cultural brand system from 0 to 1." Co Hanh sat in the audience. He did not come quietly. His name appeared publicly on the guest list. As Founding Partner of Phong Hoa Creative Culture Investment Fund. I have thirty minutes to present on stage. In the presentation there are actual data of the Thap Quang brand. There is a strategic framework for the first phase of the cultural tourism town project. There is also Chieu Bach's methodological model. More than two hundred people were present. Applause echoed throughout auditorium. As soon as I stepped off the stage, someone came up to give me a business card and ask a question. I talked to each person in turn. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Co Hanh standing in the distance chatting with an investor, occasionally his eyes glanced towards me. When the conference ended, he took the initiative to step forward.

"You said it very well."

"Phong Hoa recently invested in a domestic perfume brand. Are you interested in running the brand for them?"

"Are you introducing customers to me?"

"Because you are the best brand operator in this field. I have invested in them and want that brand to grow. It's simply business logic."

I looked at his face. His expression was much more relaxed than half a year ago. There is no longer that cold, rigid look that was always as tight as a string when he was still the General Director. It was like finally... He had partially removed his shell.

"Send the brand documents to me. I will evaluate first."

He didn't say anything more. Turn around and leave. That day Phuong Du was also present at the conference. She witnessed the entire process. On the way back, he asked me:

"What is your relationship with Co Hanh now?"

"Colleague."

"Colleague?"

"He does investment, I do operations. There may be cooperation in work later."

"That's all?"

"That's all."

Phuong Du snorted. His face clearly showed disbelief. But she didn't ask further. Returning to the office, when I opened the computer to process emails, I suddenly realized that the corners of my lips were curling up slightly. I thought for a moment. Maybe it's because... Today, on that forum, the person standing on stage was Lam Chieu. Not Mrs. Co. Nor is it Assistant General Director Co. It's the founder of Chieu Bach. And he sat in the stands. That exchange of positions... It wasn't to take revenge on anyone. It's to prove... I originally had to stand in that position.